Three Albury bowls tournaments for a 3-day weekend

AN innovative three-day bowls event has been suggested for Albury’s three clubs on the long weekend in October.

Representatives from the Lavington Panthers, North Albury and Commercial Club men’s and women’s clubs attended a recent meeting to discuss tournaments that would benefit each of them.

A meeting would be held in several weeks to confirm whether it would proceed.

It was proposed a major-minor pairs event would be held at Lavington on Saturday, October 4, with a two-bowl mixed triples at North Albury the following day and open two-bowl triples at the Commercial Club on the Monday.

The tournaments were suggested by John McDonnell, who said yesterday there would be rotation so each club hosted them in turn.

The major-minor event at Lavington would be open for 24 teams.

A major bowler is deemed someone who has won a club singles, pairs or higher event at zone or group level.

McDonnell said if each club fielded eight teams, the tournaments would be successful.

There is sure to be interest from clubs within the Albury and District Bowling Association and others from Victoria.

Meanwhile, Commercial Club bowler Jim Lee has been selected in the NSW team for the national bowler’s arm tournament being held at the Beresford Bowling Club from September 14 to 18.

Lee is the only bowler from the Riverina region in the 16-member team.

Teams from Victoria and South Australia will also compete in the event.

Lee was first included in the NSW team after an impressive showing at a tournament in 2011.

He has retained his spot in subsequent years with consistent form at each of the interstate series.